“Choosing peace over prolonged suffering is not weakness, it is strength.” This statement made by Crystal Probst, wife of former police chief “Andy” Probst, brought some calm to an otherwise painful courtroom in Las Vegas this week, which still feels the effects of what happened in August of the previous year.
Jesus Ayala, 20, and Jzamir Keys, 18, are serving a life sentence for pushing Probst with a stolen Hyundai Elantra car ramming Probst with purpose in the Centennial Hills neighborhood. Ayala was 17 at the time, while Keys was 16 when they attacked Chief Probst, as evident in their attack as they were recorded by one of the assailants himself with cool nerves as one of them said, We are about to run him over, which refers to their attack on Chief Probst.
Keys got 18 years of life, while Ayala, speaking with cops regarding his experience of being out in “30 days” after their arrest, received 20 years of life along with an additional 10 for battery. The damage they caused is, in fact, inexcusable, said Judge Jacqueline Bluth, since there might be an opportunity for parole after 20 years for juveniles according to Nevada laws, since this lot was still juveniles at that point.
However, brutality did not end with Probst’s fate. The duo had other victims lined up within their schedule for the day, including a 72-year-old cyclist who survived and another driver of a car. “This was so much more than a joyride,” stated Judge Bluth. “It just kept going and going and escalating with more people getting hurt.”
Crystal Probst had the following epiphany during the sentencing hearing: “My world was destroyed. Not damaged. Not shaken. Destroyed.” Crystal explained what her life is like without Andy as follows: “unrecognizable.” Michael, the son of Crystal and Andy Probst, had the following to say. “My heart was just ripped and torn into pieces” Crystal and Andy’s daughter, Taylor, had the following statement played during the sentencing hearing. “My dad will never get to experience that because it was stolen from him.”
Always, the psychological impact associated with this kind of brutality cannot be overlooked. Loss precipitated by planning or the sudden kind may in most cases lead to traumatic grief among psychologists. This may be indicated by reactions associated with shock, fear, or sad moods that may hinder the healing process. In fact, one may experience episodes of pain, disturbance in the daily life routine, or even physiologic reactions like insomnia and palpitations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one can seek solace from the process through friendships, self-care, or consulting an expert in case of challenges that may hinder daily performance.
In such a case, the trust of the community is also impacted. This is because the youth-related violent crime, especially when it is committed with arrogance and disregard for human life, has an impact on the feeling of security the community has. It is true that the impact of such behavior has the power to make the community members feel insecure and this makes them stay away from the public space. This can only be dealt with by accountability, which is shown through the harsh penalties approved. For parents like the Probsts, healing is not an easy task. In addition to the approaches that have helped similar families who experienced tragedies, there is recognition of a memory of a family member via a memorial service. There is also viewing self-blame as acceptance.
Allowing grieving families an opportunity to express their feelings has also helped. These are measures that may not help families that experienced brutality. The gravity of the sentence was emphasized by Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson: “This sentencing reflects the seriousness of this crime and the value of human life. Jesus Ayala and Jzamir Keys made a conscious decision that resulted in the fate of an innocent man. My office remained committed to ensuring they were held fully accountable.”
Indeed, the courtroom saw no apologies offered by the offenders but instead saw the sound of silence as they accepted the sentences. The sentences were a symbol of justice offered to the community as a whole and represented the work still left to repair the wounds inflicted.
